4 ms·
The biggest problem is not heating, but cooling. Ironically, on very cold days that design does not keep heat very well. From the article: "The US Modernist of
by crpatino 10y ago
The biggest problem is not heating, but cooling. Ironically, on very cold days that design does not keep heat very well. From the article:
"The US Modernist office building, a cube with a steel skeleton and glass curtain walls, is essentially a massive greenhouse that would be unbearable for most of the year without artificial cooling. Because glazed façades don't insulate well, energy use for heating is also high."
And to add insult to injury, there's lighting. Yay for the cube farm!!!
"In spite of all the glass, most US office buildings require artificial lighting throughout the day because many office workers are too far from a window to receive enough natural light."
- a3n 10y agoMy personal psychology: I've been working in cube farms for so long, that the constant fluorescent light level is a cue that means "you're in work mode." I don't think I would like only natural light at work. For example, a dark overcast day would make me sleepy and lazy. Conversely, at home it's natural, varying light all the time, until night fall. It's my cue for "you're at home and can pursue whatever interests you. Or take a nap"
- crpatino 10y agoPeople get used to whatever is normal for them, and then resent change. I am pretty sure your great-grandfather would have felt depressed after spending an whole afternoon in a flourescent lited room.